Assaults
Students are prohibited from assaulting any person on College property or while under the College’s jurisdiction. An “assault” is defined as:
- Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another;
- Intentionally or knowingly threatening another with imminent bodily injury; or
- Intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another when the student knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. Texas Penal Code 22.01
Clery Act (Campus Security Act)
The Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act require that each student and employee be provided a breakdown of campus crime statistics. Disclosures required by this law are made available to students, faculty, staff, and the general public. A fact sheet containing all information required for compliance with the Campus Security Act is available from the OC Campus Police.
Campus Police
Odessa College is determined to provide the best campus police possible with the resources available. Campus Police officers are licensed peace officers with the State of Texas. They work closely with area law enforcement authorities to provide quick response times in an emergency. The campus police officers will contact the appropriate local authorities when additional assistance is needed.
Disruptions
Students shall be subject to the provisions of college policy regarding disruption of classes and disruption of lawful assembly. Texas Education Code 51.935
Demonstrations
Permission for events, peaceful assemblies, and demonstrations must be requested in advance from the office of the Executive Director of Student Life.
Student demonstrations and similar activities shall be prohibited when there is evidence that may reasonably lead school authorities to forecast substantial disruption of, or material interference with, normal school operations or approved school activities.
The evidence must support a “reasonable forecast of substantial disruption” of school operations. “Undifferentiated fear” or mere apprehension of disturbance is not sufficient to justify restrictions on students’ otherwise legitimate right to freedom of expression.
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct shall include any of the following activities occurring on property owned or controlled by the college or at college-sponsored functions:
- Behavior of a boisterous and tumultuous character such that there is a clear and present danger of alarming persons where no legitimate reason for alarm exists.
- Interference with the peaceful and lawful conduct of persons under circumstances in which there is reason to believe that such conduct will cause or provoke a disturbance.
- Violent and forceful behavior at any time, such that there is a clear and present danger that free movement of other persons will be impaired.
- Behavior involving personal abuse or assault when such behavior creates a clear and present danger of causing assaults or fights.
- Violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which there is reason to believe that such conduct will cause or provoke a disturbance.
- Willful and malicious behavior that interrupts the speaker of any lawful assembly or impairs the lawful right of others to participate effectively in such assembly or meeting when there is reason to believe that such conduct will cause or provoke a disturbance.
- Willful and malicious behavior that obstructs or causes the obstruction of any doorway, hall or any other passageway in a College building to such an extent that the employees, officers and other persons, including visitors, having business with the College are denied entrance into, exit from or free passage in such building.
Missing Persons
Odessa College has a missing person’s procedure in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education regulations for institutions of higher education. Students living on campus must keep on file the name and contact information of an individual that the student wishes to be contacted in the event that the student is determined to be missing by College officials. If at any time a student is reported missing for more than forty-eight continuous hours, the Executive Director of Student Life will initiate an investigation to include room inspection, inquiries of close friends, inquiry of class attendance, and calls to other individuals which may have information on the whereabouts of the student.
Recommended Precautions for Walking on Campus
Odessa College is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of its students, employees, and campus visitors. While the College takes measures to maintain a safe and secure environment, there are things employees and students can do to increase their safety while on campus. Listed below are some recommended precautions that can be taken to protect individuals from potential danger. We urge all students, employees, and campus visitors to make the following practices a part of their daily routine:
- When alone on campus at night, do not walk around campus.
- When walking from building to building at night, stay in well-lighted areas. Avoid isolated buildings and areas.
- Always lock your vehicle. Before entering your vehicle, look on the floor and in the back seat.
- Become familiar with the police officers. If you are concerned about walking to your car alone, request an officer to escort you.
- Have car keys in hand before you reach the car. Searching for keys in a purse or pockets when at the car can be dangerous.
- Become familiar with exits in all buildings.
- Embrace the philosophy of “shared responsibility” for campus safety. Watch out for your fellow student/employee and offer assistance when needed.
While many colleges and universities have experienced an increase in the number of crimes occurring on campus, Odessa College has not had to face the problem of increased campus violence. However, should a threat or act of violence occur, please follow the previously outlined procedures.
Search & Seizure
The College respects the right of students to privacy and security against the arbitrary invasion of their person or property. However, school officials have a limited right to search students or their property when in the interest of the overall welfare of other students or when necessary to preserve the good order and discipline of the school.
Without a search warrant:
- Any prohibited item within “plain view” is subject to seizure.
- Residence hall rooms may be searched, with the approval of the Executive Director of Student Life or the Director of Student Housing, if reasonable suspicion of a college policy violation exists.
- Areas such as lockers, desks, and any college-owned property, which are owned and controlled by the College, may be searched by school officials when they have reasonable cause to believe that stolen items or items prohibited by law or by board policy are contained in the area to be searched.
- Stolen items and items which are forbidden by board policy or law may be impounded and may be used as evidence in internal school disciplinary proceedings against the student.
Limitation
The above policies shall not apply in the event that law enforcement authorities are involved in a search. School searches conducted with assistance from law enforcement authorities are governed by Fourth Amendment standards that are applicable in the criminal law context.
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